11 replies to this topic

[StuShark]

Hi all,
just got back from a trip to Equador and was lucky enough to get over to Galapagos for a few days...not necessarily a "dive trip", but did 3 days of diving and then a couple of land based tours.....

I stayed in the Hotel Galapagos on Santa Cruz Island rather than doing a live aboard (due to timing rather than anything else)...pretty cool location right on the water (and pretty cheap at around $65/night) and next to the Darwin Research Station complete with Giant Tortoises including "Lonesome George" who is the last of his species alive..and the obligatory millions of Iguanas....

....booked my diving with Scuba Iguana - very cool outfit with a shop next to the hotel - very professional and had English speaking staff and divemasters (which was lucky as my spanish sucks unless it is related to food and drink)
....each day of diving was a boat trip to a dive site for 2 dives. All tours were guided (mandatory for the National Park) and they would always have a couple of dive masters with a group (one trip there were 4 of us, 2 dive masters and 2 people from the shop training to be dive masters) to make sure all levels of divers were safe and happy. They took us to the best locations and made sure to point out the most interesting marine life
.........first time for me diving with Hammerheads (saw about 20 on my fist dive)and hundereds of White Tip sharks the next day....also many rays, turtles, sea lions and a myriad of other stuff (I really should get a book to find out the names !)
I didn't see any Galapagos sharks, but had some friends diving a different day who did see them....
...absolutely amazing diving experience, to be recommended to anyone

If you are land based (like I was) there are also lots of day tours to different islands for the non-divers (or for your last day so you don't have problems flying) - these are extremely interesting.....also the town is small, nice and relaxed (and extemely safe)...and Ecuadorian beer is pretty good !

Not the most conveinient place to get to (you'll need to do a stop over in Quito or Guayquil on the way)..but well worth it if you make the effort.

--Stuart

[Marvel]

<GROAN!!> You just HAD to add to my diving wish list, didn't you? I was perfectly happy with my side yard until I found this site....

[scubahoney]

Galapagos has always been on my to dive list...I am sooo jealous! Do you have any pics (above or below water)? I'd love to see them. When I go, I'll be staying on land as well...it's not just under the water I want to see.
P.S. heehee I've got 2 iguanas!!!! Jealous, I know!

[StuShark]

I didn't have an u/w camera, but some people said they would send me a pic or 2...could take a while as they were sailing down to New Zealand at the time....
...will try and get my act together to get my land pics onto the computer and can share any inteesting ones....

[scubahoney]

Awesome

[chinacat46]

What was the water temp and what kind of protection were you using? I've heard it can be cold at some spots like Darwin and Wolf.

[StuShark]

yes...was a little chilly compared to FL!.....7mm wetsuit..tried a hood on the first dive but didn't like it and did all the other dives without one....I was fine (...well being from the UK and having a certain amount of "natural insulation" I don't feel the cold as much as some !)....one of the girls on the trip did get cold even with the 7mm + hood, but everyone else was ok. Not sure the exact temp in degrees though...
.....for those goegraphy buffs...the Humbolt current (v.cold) comes up the coast of Chile/Peru/Equador from the Antarctic and goes past the Galapagos...and also there is a slightly warmer on coming from the North

[chinacat46]

Sounds like just the right temp for Marvel. I know she loves cold water diving.

[RICHinNC]

7mm for the Galapagos? I am surprised. I thought it would be warmer there. Shark encounters are pretty cool. My best was just recent when I was going around the bow of a wreck and dang near bumped noses with a sand shark coming the other direction. I dont know who was more surprised....it or me.

As far as PROTECTION goes.....man did I missunderstand that term as a new diver and embarrass myself getting suited up for the first time on a boat.

[zendiver]

stu_in_fl,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I too am envious. Galapagos has always been on my list as well SH, as well as the Red Sea, Turks & Caicos, and PNG. One day, I WILL make them all.

[scubahoney]

stu_in_fl,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I too am envious. Galapagos has always been on my list as well SH, as well as the Red Sea, Turks & Caicos, and PNG. One day, I WILL make them all.

ZD- PNG is on my list too
as well as San Ignacio Lagoon (well...somewhere near it, cuz I don't know if they allow diving in the actual lagoon) and Coco's Island

[Marvel]

Sounds like just the right temp for Marvel. I know she loves cold water diving.

I'm there- Not!